Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

Belligerent
Israeli Military
Country
Syria
the Gaza Strip
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

ISPT0358

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

العلمي, al Alami neighbourhood, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.537166, 34.500485 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On the afternoon of Wednesday, October 18th 2023, several children were reportedly killed and injured when an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the Hammad family home in the Al-Alami neighborhood in the Jabalia camp, in the north of the Gaza Strip. The precise number of victims remains unknown and the victims have not yet been identified.

On October 18th 2023, the Information Office of the Palestinian Ministry of the Interior and National Security reported on X/Twitter that the Hamad family home had been destroyed and a number of children had been killed in an incident that afternoon.

Many sources reported this incident including the Palestinian news agency Safa and the Palestinian Ministry of the Interior. Almost all sources repeated the same quote from the original post by the Palestinian Ministry of the Interior, with the exception of Al-Weeaam News Agency which used different language when it reported the incident on its website. In line with Airwars methodology, the civilian harm status of this incident has been assessed to be “Fair” because more than one source reported the incident with sufficiently different information. Three sources, Abdulrahman al Abaldeh, the Palestinian Ministry of the Interior and the Palestinian Information Centre posted multiple different photos of the incident on Facebook and X/Twitter.

Several news outlets and journalists shared images depicting Emergency Medical Services pulling up severely injured children from beneath the rubble. One image depicted the acute infrastructural damage caused by the attack, which completely collapsed the multi story building.

@aa_arabic shared a video on X/Twitter of Emergency Medical teams rushing dust covered children from an ambulance into a crowded hospital to receive treatment. The comment read “A new massacre in #Khan Yunis against the Hammad family, the majority of whom are children”. This source may not have referred to this incident as it described the incident taking place in Khan Yunis, which is a city in the southern Gaza Strip.

All sources reference “a number” of people were killed, “a majority” of whom were children; but the precise number is unclear. Images of the incident posted on X/Twitter and Facebook by Abdulrahman al Abaldeh, the Palestinian Ministry of the Interior and the Palestinian Information Centre show at least three different children who had been harmed.

Both the Palestinian Ministry of the Interior and Al-Waaeem news agency reported that the incident was caused by an Israeli Military aircraft.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @PalinfoAr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @PalinfoAr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @PalinfoAr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @PalinfoAr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Ministry of Interior
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Ministry of Interior
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Ministry of Interior
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Abdulrahman al abaldeh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the al Alami neighborhood (العلمي) in Jabalia (جباليا). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.537166, 34.500485.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[34.500485,31.537166],"type":"Point"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.50016180142646,31.537355821764308],[34.500279922423886,31.537239039334736],[34.50040040584031,31.537321592446972],[34.500279922423886,31.537450455695236],[34.50016180142646,31.537355821764308]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"B","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.50006545574638,31.53694776582509],[34.50018777109682,31.53685096244],[34.500266402393464,31.53691798017863],[34.50014845544928,31.53702471203499],[34.50006545574638,31.53694776582509]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"C","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.500602184636904,31.5372165411936],[34.500632763475295,31.537181791372333],[34.50067499139365,31.537212817999034],[34.50064150028609,31.537247567809516],[34.500602184636904,31.5372165411936]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"D","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.50075071041954,31.537106086358477],[34.5008482714731,31.536983220713807],[34.50102446382334,31.53709988102696],[34.50090651687748,31.53722150545306],[34.50075071041954,31.537106086358477]]],"type":"Polygon"}}]}
  • Imagery:
    @PalinfoAr

  • Imagery:
    @PalinfoAr

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0319

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

عمارة الننام, Al Namnam building, Deir al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.449032, 34.391112 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An apartment belonging to Abu Rukba family located on the fifth floor of the five-storey Al-Namnam building on Faraj Allah Street in Al-Nuseirat Camp, Gaza Strip, was hit by an alleged strike around 10 PM on Wednesday, 18 October 2023, reportedly killing up to two civilians, including a 14-year-old child, and injuring two civilians. Photos on social media showed a building collapsed into a pile of rubble.

Shehab News Agency and Al-Mayadeen reported a bombing of the building and the death of a child whose body was delivered to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. A Twitter/X user @YouthGoDigital shared an image showing the transportation of the child’s body in an ambulance. He also reported about the two civilians killed in the strike along with a Facebook user Haithem Abu Moaz.

According to the Twitter/X user @_Ahmad_mazen, there were two burn injuries resulting from the explosion following the attack.

None of the sources attributed the attack to any specific belligerent, therefore Airwars classifed Strike Status as Contested and Civilian Harm Status as Contested until more information comes to light.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @YouthGoDigital
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rbab
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an alleged strike on the al Namnam building (عمارة الننام) in Nuseirat camp (مخيم النصيرات), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.449032, 34.391112. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0359

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

محيط مسجد الصادقين, Vicinity of al Sadiqin Mosque, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.518217, 34.489285 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 18 October 2023, 11 people were killed and 13 people were injured when an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the home of the Al-Harazin family on Al-Sikka Street, near Al-Sadiqin Mosque in Al-Zaytoun neighbourhood, east of Gaza City.

The attack was reported by Palinfo on Twitter/X, via a post stating that a warplane had bombed the home causing deaths and multiple injuries. A post from Facebook user Nedal Nayef claimed that 13 people had been injured. More details on the exact location and victims of the attack were posted via family and friends on Facebook.

Nephews, friends and other family members of the Al-Harazin family posted on social media mourning the loss of 11 people in the attack. Riyad Muhammad al-Harazin and his wife, referred to only as Umm Muhammad, were killed in the attack on their home, alongside their daughter Najma Riad al-Harazin, and two sons Abdul Hadi Riyad al-Harazin and Muhammad Riyad al-Harazin. Abdul’s daughter Sadan Abboud al-Harazin died alongside her father, while Muhammad’s wife Fidaa Khaled al-Harazin and their son Abdul Rahman Muhammad al-Harazin were also reportedly killed in the airstrike. Riyad’s granddaughter was also allegedly killed in the attack but was not named. Anwar Shuwaikh al-Harazin and her daughter (unnamed) were also reported amongst those killed by the alleged Israeli airstrike on the home. Esraa al-Hazareen took to Facebook to lament those still believed under rubble: “My uncle’s wife and daughter Najma are still under the rubble. Their bodies have not been found.”

User @az_za98 posted on Twitter/X, claiming that two people were rescued from the rubble of the home but it is unclear from the tweet if they survived the attack or not. Based on posts from various family members on Facebook, as many as four children may have been killed in this attack, although the exact ages of those killed are unclear.

The house was left in pieces, with nephew Mohammad Ramy posting on Facebook that it had been “completely blown up.” The family, he said, was “in crisis.”

Airwars was not able to match any of the names of victims with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names, age and ID numbers released on October 26th.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to the Israeli military.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (11)

Riyad Muhammad Al-Harazin رياض محمد الحرازين
Adult male killed
Wife of Riyad زوجة رياض
Adult female killed
Najma Riad Al-Harazin نجمة رياض الحرازين
Adult female killed
Abdul Hadi Riyad Al-Harazin عبد الهادي رياض الحرازين
Adult male killed
Sadan Abboud Al-Harazin سدن عبود الحرازين
Child female killed
Muhammad Riyad Al-Harazin محمد رياض الحرازين
Adult male killed
Fidaa Khaled Al-Harazin فداء خالد الحرازين
Adult female killed
Abdul Rahman Muhammad Al-Harazin عبد الرحمن محمد الحرازين
Child male killed
Anwar Shuwaikh Al-Harazin أنوار شويخ الحرازين
Adult female killed
Daughter of Anwar ابنة أنوار
Child female killed
Granddaughter of Riyad حفيدة رياض
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (4 children4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of al Sadiqin Mosque (مسجد الصادقين) to the north of Gaza city (غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.518217, 34.489285. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (4 children4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0336

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

شارع الثلاثيني, al Thalatheni Street, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.512923, 34.444469 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Wednesday, October 18th 2023, an unknown number of civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Israeli airstrike on a house near al-Hayek on al-Thalatheni street in central Gaza City.

Shehab Agency and Amad news reported on the strike, stating that there were a “number of martyrs and wounded” as a result of the bombing, with sources on social media echoing the same. Sources did not specify the exact number or details of civilians killed or wounded. In line with our methodology, Airwars has put the casualty range to at least two civilians killed and wounded, and will update this incident should more information come to light.

Only one unique source attributed the strike to Israeli forces, therefore Airwars has categorized the strike status as a single source claim.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention al Thalatheni Street (شارع الثلاثيني) to the west of Gaza city (غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.512923, 34.444469. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[34.43244743689684,31.521758077561344],[34.4328199861244,31.521415094322123],[34.43337135898025,31.520678311252368],[34.434310183034626,31.51956042239574],[34.43529371299525,31.518734700446544],[34.43682861581286,31.51757867745775],[34.43961528403517,31.51572392937284],[34.442366438772666,31.514056804554215],[34.44466642692669,31.512749617154043],[34.44687058223977,31.511544537571325],[34.448547656936086,31.5105028460883],[34.449529943543155,31.509747101863383],[34.45036848089043,31.50907305455999],[34.452428886943835,31.508031335531086],[34.45370486924193,31.507393767745924],[34.454773222833865,31.506978526774674],[34.455637332355906,31.506670443572048],[34.45654857512571,31.506107854233022],[34.45877954880308,31.50425932256664]],"type":"LineString"}}]}

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0320

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

جوار مدرسة أحمد عبد العزيز, Vicinity of Ahmed Abdul Aziz School, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.339303, 34.306151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the evening of Wednesday, October 18th 2023, an alleged Israeli airstrike on a yard outside the Ahmed Abdul Aziz School funded by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and located in the al-Hawoz area of the Khan Younis Camp, near the Nasser Hospital, killed at least five civilians, including two children and three men, and reportedly injured at least 40 people. The school hosted displaced civilians from Northern Gaza.

The death toll may be significantly higher than five civilians as Masrawy news wrote about “dozens of martyrs and wounded”. A correspondent of Al Ghad TV reported about 40 injured people, while a post from Alhadath Palestine identified 60 injuries.

Al Arabiya correspondent reported that civil protection crews were heading to the school. After the bombardment, social media users, including @hamdibokari on Twitter/X and Al-Sharq Palestine on Facebook, shared videos documenting wounded children being transported to an ambulance and arriving at the hospital, though further details about the remaining victims and their current conditions were not available.

The attack killed children of a man named Ali Al-Qara; his 15-year old daughter Najla Ali Muhammad Al-Qara and 5-year old son Zein Ali Muhammad Al-Qara. According to Majeddiyab Facebook post, they were originally from the town of Khuza’a and were displaced to the Ahmed Abdul Aziz school. Their father Ali Al-Qara wrote a heartfelt testimony on Facebook mourning the loss of his children. He also shared an image of Zein – a young boy in a t-shirt and yellow jacket.

Najla Al-Qara was known for her high school success  –  Anwaa Alrhel wrote about her achievements in a Facebook tribute and shared an image of a girl holding a certificate in her hands surrounded by her teachers or relatives.

According to the social media tributes, among the victims of the attack were also three men –  Ali Muhammad Suleiman Abu Rizq, Hisham Abu Rida, and Ahmed Al-Ghouti.  According to the Twitter/X post by @KareemQaddura, Hisham and Ahmed were also displaced from Northern Gaza while Hani Abu Mustafa identified Ali Muhammad as a school teacher.

The deaths of Ali Muhammad Suleiman Abu Rizq and Ahmed Al-Ghouti were mourned in many Facebook posts. A Facebook post by user Ali said “We count you among the martyrs before God. Beloved friend Ali Muhammad Abu Rizq”. From the attached image the late Ali Abu Rizq is seen as a middle-aged bearded man in a black t-shirt. A Facebook post by user Wesam featured an image of the dead body of Ali Muhammad wrapped in a white cloth stained with blood. Ahmed Al-Ghouti’s cousin Saaed shared an image of a young Ahmed Al-Ghouti where he was standing near a red car.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces. The exact time of the strike is unknown.

Airwars matched all the named victims with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.

 

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Najla Ali Muhammad Al-Qara نجلاء علي محمد القرا
15 years old female daughter of Ali Al-Qara killed Matched to MoH ID 426116406
Zein Ali Muhammad Al-Qara زين علي محمد القرا
5 years old male son of Ali Al-Qara killed Matched to MoH ID 440745321

The victims were named as:

Ali Muhammad Suleiman Abu Rizq علي محمد سليمان أبو رزق
36 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801732413
Hisham Abu Rida هشام أبو ريده
19 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 409735438
Ahmed Al-Ghouti أحمد الغوطي
28 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 403275738

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, School, UN facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 24
  • (2 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–60
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (44) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (27) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ali
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Wesam
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Wesam
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Beso86press
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Beso86press
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Sharq Palestine
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Sharq Palestine
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Sharq Palestine
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Saeed Al-Ghouti
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamed Ahmed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hani Abu Mustafa
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Belal M. Alfaqawi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Belal M. Alfaqawi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Anwaa Al-Rahil
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ali Hassan Kullab
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nana Mohammed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ali Al-Qara Abu Omar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Ahmed Abdul Aziz School (مدرسة أحمد عبد العزيز) to the west of Khan Younis (خان يونس), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.339303, 34.306151. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, School, UN facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 24
  • (2 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–60
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (44) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0314

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

مخبز البنا, Al Banna Bakery, Deir al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.450261, 34.389024 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At 1:34 AM on Wednesday October 18th 2023, at least three young civilian men, including the owner of a bakery, were reported killed and at least 10 others were injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the al Nuseirat automated bakery “Al-Banna”  located in the center of Suf al-Nuseirat in the central Gaza strip. Orient News and Araby TV reported that the bakery was considered one of the largest in Gaza and provided bread to a large number of Palestinians, including the displaced people and residents of the al-Nuseirat refugee camp.

Friends, relatives and local sources on social media shared the names of the victims killed – the owner of the al Nuseirat bakery 46-year old Mukhlis al-Zari’i (Abu Iyad), a 24-year old man Ahmed Zaher al-Banna, and a 26-year old man Suhaib Muhammad Wasfi al-Banna.

Shehab Agency initially reported on the death of two civilians in the bombing. It later wrote that the number of civilians killed “has risen to 3.” Al Mayadeen News and sources on social media noted that the Al-Banna bakery was bombed while its workers were still inside, with some sources, including Quds News, adding that the bakery was completely destroyed. Euro News and al Hadath shared videos of the fiery deluge that enveloped the bombed structure.

A Twitter/X user @AboodEmad__ said that the bakery was “the best bakery we use in this situation because it is faster than other bakeries, and even though there are queues and turns, it alleviates the crisis a little,” sharing an image of the completely destroyed building with only its sign intact. A Facebook user Mar’i Bashir said that “even the bakery where I feed people bread with the remaining flour they bombed until we died of hunger”.

Roaamedia reported on “a number of martyrs and wounded” arriving at the al-Aqsa hospital. The AWDA Health Committee shared images of the injured being taken within the hospital, saying “the arrival of one martyr and ten injuries as a result of the bombing.” Sources did not provide details for those injured in the bombing.

Mukhlis al-Zari’i (Abu Iyad) was remembered in a Facebook tribute by the radio station “Voice of the Nation” (WA105FM) as “the good man”. He is seen on the attached image as a smiling bearded young man with a portrait of Yasser Arafat behind him. Khamis Khuseyn (Abu al’-Abd) and other Facebook users shared an image of the other victim, Ahmed Zahir Al-Banna – a young bearded man in an elegant suit and red tie. The death of Suhaib Muhammad Wasfi al-Banna was also mourned by his many friends who shared images of a young smiling bearded man.

All names have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023.

Where sources identified the belligerents, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured at approximately 1:34 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Mukhlis Ali Muhammad al-Zari’i مخلص علي محمد الزريعي
46 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 901692913
Suhaib Muhammad Wasfi al-Banna صهيب محمد وصفي البنا
26 years old killed Matched to MoH ID 403021603
Ahmed Zaher Muhammad al-Banna أحمد زاهر البنا
24 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 405185323

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Marketplace
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (43) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (55) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AboodEmad__
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Kareemkamal3211
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @TZ00G
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @OrientNews
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @qudsn
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @qudsn
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @qudsn
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @qudsn
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kbariti69
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kbariti69
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hadith
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Awdaps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Awdaps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Awdaps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Awdaps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Awdaps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kolonaalwatan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ADAMADAM1995
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abèdlmadjid
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: new world
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: new world
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: new world
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: new world
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: new world
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: new world
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: new world
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Talal
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Basma
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: WA105FM
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khamis
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdullah
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nuseirat103
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nuseirat103
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmadkh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashraf.abu.mohammed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashraf.abu.mohammed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashraf.abu.mohammed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amani
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Banna Bakery (أبراج الندى) in Nuseirat camp (مخيم النصيرات). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.450261, 34.389024.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[34.389024,31.450261],"type":"Point"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"B","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.38810862080993,31.45132683510819],[34.38824551472234,31.45121978490957],[34.388430321504046,31.451373547883932],[34.3883071169829,31.451480597906908],[34.38810862080993,31.45132683510819]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.38832975863741,31.45053800546907],[34.3884734972454,31.45041732967489],[34.38866286715714,31.450590557782675],[34.38851912854912,31.450713179732958],[34.38832975863741,31.45053800546907]]],"type":"Polygon"}}]}
  • Imagery:
    @qudsn

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Marketplace
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (43) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0337

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

جباليا, Jabalia, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.542307, 34.495157 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Wednesday, October 18th 2023, 24 civilians were reported injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the home of the Abu Amira family next to a pump on al-Alami street, Jabalia Camp, Gaza strip.

Safa news reported that the home was bombed “on the heads of its residents” and that there were “a number of injured people”, with sources on local and social media including the Ministry of the Interior in Gaza corroborating the same.

Rabab Abu Hatab posted that “there were injuries” from the strike, while the North Gaza District Police stated that 24 injured people were transported away from the site of the strike, “their condition described as moderate to good.” Sources did not specify any further details about the civilians injured.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jabalia (جباليا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.542307, 34.495157. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0321

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

البنك الإسلامي – فرع جباليا, Vicinity of the Islamic Bank - Jabalia Branch, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.522298, 34.485866 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 18th 2023, it was reported that up to 27 people were killed when an airstrike hit the house of the Dardouna family, near the Islamic Bank in Jabalia al-Balad, north of the Gaza strip.  Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

Ahmed posted on Facebook that as many as 27 were killed in the airstrike, while no other sources mention the number of casualties as a result of this reported strike. A video posted on Facebook by Samah showed an old Palestinian man who claimed to have lost 10 of his family members. Within the video the man stands amongst bodies laid on the ground –  there are four in view, and one appears to be of small stature like that of a child. There are no names included and it is unclear on the gender or age of the bodies within the video.

Pictures show a bright light in the sky which appear to be rockets from the alleged airstrike, these pictures are taken during night time. The majority of the sources claim that this strike was carried out by warplanes, suggesting attribution to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 27
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @HabibaHodroj
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @HabibaHodroj
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @HabibaHodroj
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @HabibaHodroj
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Islamic Bank – Jabalia branch (البنك الإسلامي – فرع جباليا) to the east of Jabalia (جباليا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.522298, 34.485866. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 27
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (21) [ collapse]